ROBERT R. MAYNARD ’52
ROBERT R. MAYNARD, 83, an attorney who served the Bristol, Conn., community both civically and politically, and a retired judge of probate, died Dec. 23, 2008. A member of Delta Tau Delta, he received his law degree from the University of Virginia. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army, where he received numerous awards for personal and professional distinction in the French theater of operations. He was appointed as honorary diplomatic consul for the French Government from 1989 to 1995. Among those who survive are his wife, Margaret Dwyer Maynard, four children, eight grandchildren, and six nephews.
His eldest son, Chris Maynard, sends this remembrance:
“Dad, known as ‘Duke’ from his war years, was one of the old guys at Delta Tau Delta. He and his roommate Hank McDonald shared some fun years together. Dad could have gone to another equally great school. But after the war he chose to come back to where his roots are here in Connecticut, and to Wesleyan.
“Dad always spoke very fondly of his time at Wesleyan?where he happened to meet Mom on a pre-arranged blind date when she came up one weekend from St. Raphael?s School of Nursing in New Haven. And many years later during the summer of 2007 they celebrated 55 years of happy marriage together.
“In between Dad created a great life dedicated to Mom and us four kids whom he loved very much, and to his career as a practicing lawyer and Probate Judge in Bristol. During those years he was very committed to his community of Bristol, civically, spiritually, and politically. He served as City of Bristol: Corporation Counsel, Chairman of the Democratic Town Committee, Chairman of the Board; Bristol Hospital, Chairman of the Board; Tunxis Community College, and as Trustee of St. Ann Roman Catholic Church where after years of service he was made a Papal Knight of Saint Gregory the Great in November 1972. There are many other volunteer roles too numerous to mention here.
“For many men, at age 65, retirement might have been a logical choice. Not for Dad. Dad was proud of his French heritage, and from 1989–1995 Dad was appointed an Agence Consulaire for the Government of France here in Connecticut. After his years as Agence Consulaire, his years of service to French foreign nationals living in Connecticut, and having spilled his blood just days after D-Day into the soil of France, by decree of the President of France, Jacques Chirac, Dad was made a Knight of the French National Order of Merit in April 1997.
“Most recently, in September 2008, to bring ?full circle? to his life he was given a Public Service Award by the State of Connecticut in honor of his patriotism and sacrifice to this country for his years of service during World War II when he was wounded and awarded many medals for bravery including the Purple Heart.
“What a life. Dad could have lived his life and practiced law anywhere. But he came back to the State of Connecticut, his home, to build the foundation of his new life? at Wesleyan. And he lived long enough to see his beloved Red Sox win the World Series not once, but twice.
“In closing, you should know that though he accomplished all the things I listed in this note, and more, his greatness as a man really came through in his love, kindness, generosity and gentleness that he shared with all of us? his family, his close friends, and the many other people whose lives he touched. Not only will we miss him, but Wesleyan too is losing a truly noble son of its own university family as well. ”